Hood catch



JulylO, 1934. G MOORE ET A 1,966,306

HOOD CATCH Filed Dec. 2, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TORJ Fay/vamp 6. Mao/a: 1

' ATTORNEY.

July 10, 1934.

M V 3 2 m i 9 v w v, 6 t T57 F. 6 e N? N m Ham M 1 W0. W a mw A e e a 4 5 9 pa 3 g Z, W WY l. /.Av A W 4 PHD. m w i H E c m 2 m o D w M m D H d 7 G M 4 R July 10, 1934.

R. MOORE ET AL HOOD CATCH Filed Dec. 2, 1950 5' Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOOD CATCH Application December 2, 1930, Serial No. 499,473

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in hood catches, particularly for automobiles, and has for an object to provide a catch disposed at the inside of the hood and having an operating handle at the outside, which will effectually hold the hood downwardly and inwardly, and may be operated to engaged or disengaged relation with a minimum of effort. A further object is to provide a hood catch in which the catch element is adapted to have swinging and sliding movement into engaged and disengaged relation.

Another object is to provide a catch which in its disengaged relation will be out of the way of the keeper and other structure beneath the hood so that it will not interfere therewith upon raising the hood, and which in closing the hood will be in such relation as to be properly engaged with the keeper. It is also proposed to provide a catch which will initially engage the keeper in such relation as to necessitate a down pull on the hood before full retaining engagement of the catch, to the end that the hood will always be pulled down to its full extent before it is retained by the catch.

Another object is to provide a catch of simple construction and assembly, and which will be free of parts which are apt to vibrate.

With the above and other objects in view an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the catch attached to the hood, and showing the same in engaged relation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the catch, the hood being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, and showing 4 the catch disengaged from the keeper.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the catch detached from the hood.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a modified form of the-invention, attached to the hood, and showing the same in engaged relation.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the catch shown in Fig. 5, the hood being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, showing the catch disengaged from the keeper, and also show- 5" ing in dotted lines the relation of the catch to the keeper upon closing down the hood, and before the hood is pulled down to its full extent.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the catch detached from the hood.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a further modified form of the invention attached to the hood, and showing the catch engaged with the keeper.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View, showing the catch disengaged from the keeper and also showing in dotted lines the relation of the catch to the keeper upon closing down the hood, and before the hood is pulled down to its full extent.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the hood catch, according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, comprises a frame, preferably formed of sheet metal, and consisting of-spaced parallel side portions 10, and an angularly dis- 7o posed base portion 11 connecting the side portions. The forward edges of the side portions are recessed at their lower portions, as at 12, to facilitate assembly, as will hereinafter more fully appear, and ears 13 are bent outwardly from the projected 7.5; forward edges of the side portions above said recesses and secured to the inner side of the face plate or escutcheon 14, preferably by spot welding.

The face plate is provided with a vertically disposed inwardly flanged slot 15 registering with so the spacebetween the side portions of the frame, the upper end of the slot being below the upper end of the frame, and the lower end being above the recesses 14. The periphery of the face plate is flanged, as at 16, so that it engages snugly 5 against the surface of the hood. The hood 17, to which the catch is attached is provided with a vertical slot 18 through which the frame is adapted to be passed to the inner side of the hood, the face plate engaging the outer side and being secured go by suitable bolts or rivets 19.

The catch element consists of a single catch lever comprising a handle portion 20 projecting throughthe slot 15 to the exterior of the hood and a shank or bolt portion 21 interiorly of the hood and preferably of rectangular cross-section.

A fulcrum pin 22 is provided at the inner end of the handle portion, and has its projecting ends engaged for vertical movement in vertical slots 23 provided in the side portions of the frame. The shank projects downwardly through a slot 24 in the inclined base of the frame, and is provided with a washer 25 having sliding engagement with the upper abutment surface of said inclined base, a helicle spring 26 being provided about the shank between said washer and the shoulderv of the handle portion, and which exerts an upward force upon the catch lever and a downward force on the washer 25 pressing the same 1 against the abutment provided by the inclined base.

The lower end of the shank is bent inwardly and slightly upwardly providing a recess 27, and is then bent downwardly providing a camming surface 28.

The catch is adapted to engage a horizontally arranged keeper bar 29 secured to any suitable support 30 upon the automobile frame, as for instance the cowl front for the rear catch and the radiator support for the front catch. The hood abuts the usual stop flange 31 on the frame in its closed position.

The operation is as follows:--

To engage the catch the hood is closed against the stop flange 31 and the handle of the catch lever is pressed inwardly bringing the cam surface 28 against the keeper bar 29, further inward pressure causing the cam surface to draw the catch lever downwardly to a point where the peak of the cam surface is reached, whereupon continued inward movement causes the lever to move upward slightly and the recess 27 to engage the bar 29. The angle of the base of the frame is in such relation to the swinging axis and the axis of longitudinal movement of the lever and to the keeper bar 29 that as the peak of the cam surface engages the bar the shank 31 of the catch lever is at a right angle to the base 11, and as it passes beyond the peak the inclined base is in non-aligned relation and a toggle action results through the pressure of the spring which moves the recess 27 into engagement with the bar and effectually retains it, as shown in Fig. 2, the catch lever having a slight upward movement as the recess engages.

In order to disengage the catch lever the handle is swung outwardly, the cam surface first forcing the lever downwardly and as the peak moves outwardly past the keeper bar 29 the inclined base is in non-aligned relation and the toggle action swings the lever clear as shown in Fig. 3, the fulcrum pin 22 moving to the upper ends of the slots 23. The hood may thereupon be opened.

It will be observed that in the engaged position of the catch the angle of pull is downwardly and inwardly, effectively holding the hood down and drawing it inwardly against the stop flange 31.

In Figs. 5 to 8 we have shown a modified embodiment of the invention, comprising a sheet metal bracket plate 32 having a slot 33 adapted to register with a slot 34 in the hood and adapted to be secured to the inner side of the hood by bolts 35 which also secure the escutcheon plate 36 at the outer side, and which plate is provided with a slot 37 also registering with the slot 34 of the hood. A bracket is formed on the upper portion of the plate 32 by bending ears 38, 38 at right angles at each side, the ends of these ears being then bent inwardly toward each other, into contacting relation, as at 39, 39, to form an abutment portion, for the purpose of positioning the catch in its disengaged relation, and as will hereinafter more fully appear.

A swinging U-shaped member 40, preferably bent from a strip of sheet metal has its upper ends pivotally supported between the ears 38 by means of a pin 41, and in the disengaged relation of the catch is adapted to lie against the plate 32.

The catch element consists of a single catch lever comprising a handle portion 42 projecting through the slot 33 to the exterior of the hood and a shank or bolt portion 43 interiorly of the i hood and preferably of rectangular cross-section.

A fulcrum pin 44 is provided at the inner end of the handle and has its projecting ends engaged for movement longitudinally of the member in slots 45, 45, provided longitudinally in the side portions of said member. The shank extends downwardly through an opening 46 in the base of the member 40, a helical spring 47 being provided about the shank between said base and the shoulder of the handle portion, and which exerts an upward force on the catch lever.

The lower end of the shank is bent inwardly and upwardly providing a keeper engaging recess 48, and is then bent downwardly in substantially parallel relation to the shank providing a camming surface 49 adjacent the recess and an offset extension camming portion 50. The handle portion 42 is provided at its inner end with a projecting lug portion 51 which, in the disengaged relation of the catch, engages the abutment portions 39 of the bracket 38, under the pressure of the spring 4'7, and forces the member 40 against the bracket plate 32 thereby holding it close against the hood in such relation that it will not rattle and will clear the keeper and engine parts within the hood as the latter is raised or lowered. The catch is adapted to engage the horizontally arranged keeper bar 29.

The operation is as follows:

In closing the hood the retention of the catch against the plate 35, and the disposition of the extension portion 50 in outward relation to the keeper, prevents any possibility of the catch becoming obstructed by the keeper or of engaging it at the wrong side. As the catch is swung inwardly the extension portion 50 abuts the keeper as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7, its length being such that such abutment will take place over a relatively large range contiguous to the fully closed position of the hood. As the catch is forced down to bring the camming surface 49 and recess 48 into relation with the keeper a downward force is exerted on the hood so that it is pulled down to its full extent, as indicated in Fig. 6, prior to full engagement of the catch, continued downward pressure swinging the catch inwardly and engaging the recess 48 with the keeper, whereupon a downward and inward pull is exerted on the hood. Upon disengagement from the keeper the spring forces the catch upwardly to a point where the lug 51 abuts the abutment 39 and swings the same to the position indicated in full lines Fig. 7. In this embodiment of the invention it will be observed that the member 40, within which the catch is longitudinally slidable, swings with the catch as it is engaged with and disengaged from the keeper.

In Figs. 9 and 10 we have shown a further modified form of the invention substantially like that shown in the first embodiment. The lower end of the shank or bolt 21, however, is similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 8, being provided with a recess 52, cam surface 53, and offset extension 54 substantially parallel to the shank. Also the handle portion 20 is provided at its inner end with a projecting lug portion 55, similar to the lug portion 51 of said embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 8, and which in the disengaged relation of the catch, engages an abutment portion 56 formed on the frame 10, and under the pressure of the spring 26 forces the shank of the catch against the outer end of the slot 24, so that it will clear the keeper and engine parts within the hood as the hood is raised and lowered. Upon closing the hood and engaging the catch the extension camming portion 54 abuts the keeper and insures initial pulling down of the hood to its full extent, in a similar manner to the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 8.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A hood catch for engaging a keeper disposed interiorly of the hood, comprising a. support adapted to be mounted on the hood, a catch element including a handle portion adapted to pro-- ject to the outer side of the hood and a keeper engaging portion adapted to engage said keeper at the inner side of the hood, said catch element being mounted for swinging movement relatively to said support into and out of relation with the keeper and having longitudinal movement coordinately therewith to engage and disengage said keeper, spring means exerting an upward pressure on said catch element, abutment means on said support, abutment engaging means carried by said catch element and adapted under the pressure of said spring means to engage said abutment means, said abutment means being disposed in non-aligned relation to the swinging axis and the axis of the longitudinal movement of said catch element, so as to swing said catch element in a direction away from said keeper through engagement of said abutment engaging means therewith under the pressure of said spring means, whereby said keeper engaging portion is moved clear of the vertical plane of said keeper, and the hood may be moved vertically without contacting with said keeper.

2. A hood catch for engaging a keeper disposed interiorly of the hood, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on the hood, a keeper engaging catch element mounted for swinging movement relative to said support into and out of relation with said keeper and having longitudinal movement coordinately therewith to engage and disengage said keeper, handle means operable from the outer side of the hood operatively connected to said catch element, spring means exerting an upward pressure on said catch element, said catch element including a camming portion normally clear of the vertical plane of said keeper adapted toengage said keeper upon inward swinging movement thereof, a keeper engaging retaining portion disposed contiguously above said camming portion, and whereby said catch element is adapted to be moved downward in engagement with said keeper before engagement of said retaining portion therewith, abutment means on said support, abutment engaging means carried by said catch element and adapted under the pressure of said spring means to engage said abutment means, said abutment means being disposed in nonaligned relation to the swinging axis and the axis of the longitudinal movement of said catch element, so as to swing said catch element in a direction away from said keeper through engagement of said abutment engaging means therewith under the pressure of said Spring means, whereby said camming portion is moved clear of the vertical plane of said keeper, and the hood may be moved vertically without contacting said camming portion of said catch element with said keeper.

3. A hood catch for engaging a keeper disposed interiorly of the hood, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on the hood, a keeper engaging catch element mounted for swinging movement relative tosaid support into and out of relation with said keeper and having longitudinal movement coordinately therewith to engage and disengage said keeper, handle means operable from the outer side of the hood operatively connected to said catch element, spring means exerting an upward pressure on said catch element, said catch element including a camming portion disposed substantially parallel to its longitudinal movement and normally clear of the vertical plane of said keeper adapted to engage said keeper upon inward swinging movement thereof, and a keeper engaging retaining portion disposed contiguously above said camming portion, and whereby said catch element is adapted to be moved longitudinally downward in engagement with said keeper before engagement of said retaining portion therewith, abutment means on said support, abutment engaging means carried by said catch element and adapted under the pressure of said spring means to engage said abutment means, said abutment means being disposed in non-aligned relation to the swinging axis and the axis of the longitudinal movement of said catch element, so as to swing said catch element in a direction away from said keeper through engagement of said abutment engaging means therewith under the pressure of said spring means, whereby said camming portion is moved clear of the vertical plane of said keeper, and the hood may be moved vertically without contacting said camming portion of said catch element with said keeper.

4. A hood catch for engaging a keeper disposed interiorly of the hood, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on the hood, a keeper engaging catch element mounted for swinging movement relative to said support into and out of relation with said keeper and having longitudinal movement coordinately therewith toengage and disengage said keeper, handle means operable from the outer side of the hood operatively connected to said catch element, spring means exerting an upward pressure on said catch element, abutment means on said support, abutment engaging means carried by said catch element and adapted under the pressure of said spring means to engage said abutment means, said abutment means being disposed in non-aligned relation to the swinging axis and the axis of the longitudinal'movement of said catch element, so as to swing said catch element in a direction away from said keeper through engagement of said abutment engaging means therewith under the pressure of said spring means, whereby said catch element is moved clear of the vertical plane of said keeper upon disengagement therefrom.

RAYMOND G. MOORE. ARTHUR CLAUDMANTLE. 

